My first visit in Dumaguete City was in 2018, and it became our go-to city since living here in Negros Oriental. Dumaguete is known for its tag name, "City of Gentle People". The city has a cool rural vibes that I'm delighted to. Unlike Cebu City where you'll experience stressful traffic and big metropolitan scene, Dumaguete on the other hand is more relax and less stressful in terms of 'within city travel'. In fact the city doesn't even have a single traffic light in any of its intersections.

Highlight Places to Visit in Dumaguete

1. Pulangbato Falls

Pulangbato is on my top place to visit while in Dumaguete City. It is just about 30 minutes away from the city center. Acessible by any types of vehicles. On your way to Pulangbato falls, you will pass the famous "Sulfur vent. "

Pulangbato entrance fee is at ₱20/person and ₱10 for the parking

2. Forest Camp Valencia

Be in tune with nature and cool off from hot summer at the Forest Camp in Valencia. This is a big nature facility so you won't be crowding in one place. There's many seats that you could comfortably relax under the shaded area. Entrance fee is at ₱100 for adults and kids. Parking is free.

3. Twin Lake Balinsasayao Natural Park

Lake Balinsasayao in the town of Sibulan is perhaps the most popular must-see attraction in Negros Oriental. Twin Lake Balinsasayao's entrance fee is at ₱50.

If you are commuting, you need to take the ceres bus from Dumaguete's ceres bus terminal and tell the driver to drop you off at the Balinsasayao bus stop. From there, you need to ride a habal-habal for about 30-minutes. It will be a scenic ride going to the natural park.

While in the park you can rent a small boat going to the tower vantage point in the other side of the lake. You will be surrounded by large trees, and you can hear birds from a distance. You can also rent a duo Kayak to circle around the lake. But be very careful though as there were already kayaking incidents in the past.

How to get there?

If you are traveling on group, you can hire a tricyle or hire a transport service to comfortably visit different tourist location within the city.

When we were visiting these places years ago, we rented a motorbike. It is the best way to move around the city for a day. At ₱500, you will have easy access to all these beautiful sites in a day. You just have to gas up for ₱100 - ₱200 on your entire rental. There are many motorbikes rental available in Dumaguete City.